Historic Gault Middle School May Have a Buyer
In a letter dated July 21, the Puyallup Tribe has expressed interest in continuing discussions with Tacoma School Board (ongoing since June of this year) regarding the historic Gault Middle School building. The Tribe would like to buy the school and preserve the structure to serve as a community center for tribal and general public functions. The building itself is currently vacant, though its indoor pool is still in use and managed by Metro Parks Tacoma (Link to TNT coverage )
Earlier this year, the School Board faced the possibility that Gault (located at 1115 E. Division), and Gray Middle School (3116 S. 60th Street) were surplus properties vulnerable to demolition. In May, the Tacoma Weekly reported that the Board was leaning toward selling Gray and keeping Gault, since Gault could be more easily repurposed.
Is it possible that the sale of Gault, which would be a complicated transaction, might allow both historic schools to be preserved? Much remains to be seen.
2 comments
R RR Anderson July 26, 2010
nice!
T Tim Smith July 26, 2010
Gray and the Barlowe Annex are very vulnerable but so perfectly located for what the Germans would call a KulturHaus. It has a massive stage for the performing arts, large rooms, its located on the Historic WaterDitch trail, and has kitchen facilities. Combining the arts, with a food establishment on a major bike trail creates a very attractive place for urban explorers. Sadly, little effort has been put forth to save these important structures.